Susan G. Komen 3-Day for a Cure has nearly 1,000 walkers all over Cleveland

CLEVELAND - It's been something we've heard about for years: the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for a Cure. But this year, there are more walkers and each of them has a special story and special reason they are walking 60 miles in three days.

For many, it's about family. For others, it's about their own survival.

Since the walk started in 2003, the Komen 3-day walk for a cure has raised nearly $600 million nationally. Clevelanders are proud to say they contributed to that fundraising.

This year, there are nearly 1,000 people walking for breast cancer all over Cleveland. Sixty miles in three days. And not one of them is complaining.

Breast cancer survivor Lorrie Oaklief's sister, Kathy, put together a team to walk for Lorrie. They hope this event and the money they raised will one day stop breast cancer in its tracks. Lorrie is also pushing mammograms.

"I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008 and it was discovered on a mammogram. So please everyone get your mammograms," Lorrie Oaklief said.

Men aren't immune to this disease. If anyone knows that, it's Lee Giller. Giller was diagnosed with the disease five years ago when he found a lump. He said he waited for a few months before he went to go see a doctor because he thought it was nothing. When the diagnosis came, he was in shock. Giller said family support helped guide him through.

"That's what got me through it... And since the,n the walks have been a tremendous help in just getting the word out," Giller said. Family support is exactly what Giller is offering now to his own daughter.

"My daughter was diagnosed with breast cancer three weeks ago... We have to go through this again, but the good thing is she's young," Giller said.

He said he's thankful the doctors caught it early and at 28 she will have a bilateral mastectomy with the hope the disease never returns.